JP4976700B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that enables a mirror unit to be switched.

  A film camera exposes light incident as a subject image onto a film, whereas a digital camera records an image by exposing it to a solid-state imaging device that converts light energy into an electrical signal. is there. As a typical example of a digital camera, FIG. 17 shows a basic schematic configuration of a lens interchangeable digital single-lens reflex camera 100 (hereinafter abbreviated as D-SLR 100).

  FIG. 17A shows an imaging standby state in which a subject image entered from the interchangeable lens 102 can be confirmed by the finder 103, and FIG. 17B shows an imaging state.

  An image pickup unit 101 includes an image pickup element that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by a light beam from the interchangeable lens 102. An interchangeable lens 102 includes a plurality of lenses (102a, 102b, etc.) and a stop 102c for capturing reflected light from a subject and forming an image on the imaging unit 101.

  An optical viewfinder 103 includes a focusing screen 107, a prism 108, and an eyepiece lens 109. On the focusing screen 107, a light beam reflected upward by the main mirror unit 106 forms an image. The prism 108 reflects the image internally so that the image formed on the focusing screen 107 becomes an erect real image. The eyepiece lens 109 allows the user to check the image emitted from the prism 108 at an appropriate magnification.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes a mount unit for mounting the interchangeable lens 102. A main mirror unit 106 is disposed on the optical axis of the interchangeable lens 102 and the imaging unit 101 in a space called a mirror box 105.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a sub-mirror unit, which reflects the light beam that has passed through the main mirror unit 106 out of the light beam incident from the interchangeable lens 102 and guides it to the AF unit 111. Reference numeral 111 denotes an AF (autofocus) unit, which measures the distance to the subject.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a focal plane shutter composed of a plurality of shutter blades, which irradiates the imaging unit 101 with an incident light beam for a desired time.

  In the imaging standby state, as shown in FIG. 17A, a part of the light beam is reflected vertically upward by the main mirror unit 106 installed on the optical axis, and the user views the subject image via the finder 103. Can be confirmed. Thereby, the user can determine the composition of the subject image incident from the interchangeable lens 102 by the finder 103. Further, the remaining light beam transmitted through the main mirror unit is reflected by the sub mirror unit 106 and guided to the AF unit 111.

  In the imaging state, as shown in FIG. 17B, the main mirror unit 106 and the sub mirror unit 110 are flipped up and retracted from the optical axis in order to cause the light beam incident from the interchangeable lens 102 to enter the imaging unit 101. In this state, by opening the shutter blades of the focal plane shutter 112, the light beam enters the imaging unit 101.

  By the way, in the film camera, even if foreign matter such as dust adheres to the film, the next frame is not affected if the film is wound up. However, in the D-SLR 100, unlike a film camera, when a foreign object adheres to the image pickup unit 101 in order to pick up an image with the image pickup unit 101, a portion of the attached foreign object does not reach the image pickup unit 101 and light is captured. Will continue to appear as a shadow.

  The following can be considered as the cause of the generation of foreign matter. First, in a camera provided with a focal plane shutter 112, the shutter blades are rubbed during the shutter operation, so that the coating of the shutter blades is peeled off and remains in the camera as foreign matter.

  Second, in the interchangeable lens camera, a mount cap (not shown) that protects the mount portion 104 when the interchangeable lens 102 is not mounted is mounted. At that time, the mount cap is scraped by rubbing between the mount cap and the mount portion 104, and the scraped piece enters as a foreign matter.

  Third, when the interchangeable lens 102 is replaced, the inside of the camera is exposed to the outside through the mount unit 104, and foreign matter enters the camera.

  The foreign matter that has entered the mirror box 105 due to the second and third reasons hardly adheres directly to the imaging unit 101, and first attaches to the mirror box 105, and the foreign matter enters the imaging unit 101 for some reason. Adhere to. This is because the focal plane shutter 112 is provided in front of the imaging unit 101 and the shutter blades completely cover the imaging unit 101 so that light does not enter the imaging unit 101 except during shooting.

  By the way, air convection occurs when the main mirror unit 106 and the sub mirror unit 110 move in the mirror box 105 during the mirror up operation. For example, since the volume of the space above the main mirror unit 106 decreases as the main mirror unit 106 moves up, the air existing in the space above the main mirror unit 106 flows below the main mirror unit 106. . Of the foreign matter that has entered the mirror box 105 due to this air flow, the foreign matter that has adhered to the main mirror unit 106 moves away from the attachment position, wraps around the lower side of the main mirror unit 106, and moves toward the imaging unit 101. End up.

  As a countermeasure for capturing a foreign object heading for the imaging unit 101, a technique of providing an adhesive unit in a focal plane shutter is known (see Patent Document 1). In this method, an adhesive portion is provided at a location where the shutter blades in the focal plane shutter do not come in contact, and foreign matter generated from the focal plane shutter is captured.

  In addition, a technique of providing an adhesive member between a focal plane shutter and an imaging unit is known (see Patent Document 2). This seals between the focal plane shutter and the imaging unit, and captures foreign matter that has entered by making the wall portion an adhesive member.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-350926 (page 9, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-85942 (page 7, FIG. 1)

  As described in Patent Document 1, when the adhesive portion is provided in the focal plane shutter, only the foreign matter generated from the focal plane shutter that collides with the adhesive portion can be captured. However, there is a problem in that it is not effective for foreign matters that are attached to the inner wall of the main mirror unit or the mirror box and fly to the opening of the focal plane shutter by riding on the airflow.

  Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, when the focal plane shutter and the imaging unit are hermetically sealed and the wall portion is used as an adhesive member, the inner wall of the main mirror unit or the mirror box is similar to the problem of Patent Document 1. There is a problem in that it is ineffective against foreign matters that adhere to the airflow and fly to the opening of the focal plane shutter, for example, by riding in an airflow. Further, since the adhesive portion is fixed, there is a problem that the foreign matter capturing ability is lowered due to the adhesion state of the foreign matter and the passage of time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and aims to suppress foreign matter from adhering to an imaging unit including an imaging element by capturing foreign matter by focusing on a switchable mirror unit. To do.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging device that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by a light beam from an imaging lens, an optical viewfinder for observing the subject image, and a light beam from the imaging lens that is reflected on the optical viewfinder. And a mirror unit that can be switched between a first state and a second state that guides the light flux from the imaging lens to the imaging element without reflecting, and at least on the photographing lens side of the mirror unit The flange part is formed so as to protrude from the reflection surface of the mirror unit, and a first foreign substance capturing part for capturing the foreign substance scattered by the switching operation of the mirror unit is provided inside the flange part. Features.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent foreign matter adhering to the mirror unit capable of switching operation from scattering, or to capture foreign matter floating around the mirror unit using the switching operation of the mirror unit. Thus, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the imaging unit including the imaging element.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a lens-interchangeable digital single-lens reflex camera D-SLR that is an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. In addition, since components other than the main mirror unit (main mirror unit) 1 are the same as those in FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the main mirror unit 1 as viewed from the interchangeable lens 102 side. Reference numeral 11 denotes a mirror member, 12 denotes a holding member that holds the mirror member 11, and 13 denotes a collar member provided on the holding member 12 so as to be positioned on the outer periphery of the mirror member 11. The eaves member 13 is one step higher than the reflecting surface of the mirror member 11.

  FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 13a is an adhesive member, and is affixed on the inner side of the collar member 13, that is, the entire surface on the mirror member 11 side. In addition, as the adhesive member 13a, not only what was stuck on the collar member 13, but the form which apply | coats an adhesive, for example may be sufficient.

  FIG. 4 shows a front view of the inside of the mirror box 105 during the mirror up operation as seen from the interchangeable lens 102 side. Reference numeral 14 denotes foreign matter adhering to the mirror member 11 before the mirror up operation. As described above, air convection occurs as the main mirror unit 1 and the sub mirror unit 110 move in the mirror box 105. In particular, since the volume of the space above the main mirror unit 1 is reduced as the main mirror unit 1 moves up, the air existing in the space above the main mirror unit 1 flows to the lower side of the main mirror unit 1. . As a result, the foreign matter 14 rides on the airflow generated by the mirror-up operation, and moves from the center side to the end of the mirror member 11 in the left-right direction as indicated by the arrow A or the front-rear direction or the oblique direction as indicated by the arrow B.

  In this case, since the collar member 13 is provided on the outer periphery of the mirror member 11, the foreign matter 14 that has moved collides with the inside of the collar member 13. Since the adhesive member 13a is provided on the inner side of the flange member 13, the foreign matter 14 colliding with the inner side of the flange member 13 is captured by the adhesive member 13a. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter 14 attached to the mirror member 11 from being scattered, and the mirror member 11 does not go down to the lower side of the main mirror unit 1 during the mirror up operation or after the mirror up operation. That is, the foreign matter 14 can be prevented from floating in the mirror box 105 during the mirror up operation. Thereby, since the foreign material 14 does not adhere to the mirror box 105, it can suppress that a foreign material adheres to the imaging part 101. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, if the adhesive member 13a is replaceable, the foreign substance capturing ability can always be maintained by replacing the adhesive member 13a when the adhesive force of the adhesive member 13a becomes weak. Alternatively, the collar member 13 may be detachable from the holding member 12 and the collar member 13 itself may be replaced. On the contrary, when the holding member 12 and the flange member 13 are integrated, the number of parts can be reduced.

  Further, if a charging member is used instead of the adhesive member 13a, it is possible to continue capturing the foreign matter 14 that has collided with the charging member due to the electrostatic force of the charging member. As the charging member, for example, a knitted product of electret fibers used for a filter of a dust collector can be considered.

  As described above, the foreign matter attached to the main mirror unit 1 that can be switched can be prevented from being scattered, and the foreign matter can be prevented from attaching to the imaging unit 101 including the imaging element.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of a lens-interchangeable digital single-lens reflex camera D-SLR that is an imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. In addition, since components other than the main mirror unit 2 are the same as those in FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of the main mirror unit 2 as viewed from the interchangeable lens 102 side. 11 is a mirror member, 12 is a holding member for holding the mirror member 11, and 15 is a collar member provided on the holding member 12 so as to be positioned on the outer periphery of the mirror member. The eaves member 15 is one step higher than the reflecting surface of the mirror member 11.

  Reference numeral 15a denotes an adhesive member, which is affixed to the inside of the collar member 15, that is, the entire surface on the mirror member 11 side. In addition, as the adhesive member 15a, not only what was stuck on the collar member 15, but the form which apply | coats an adhesive, for example may be sufficient.

  FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. As shown in the figure, the flange member 15 is bent inward at the intermediate position, that is, on the mirror member 11 side. Accordingly, the foreign material 14 (not shown in FIG. 7) that moves toward the end of the mirror member 11 during the mirror up operation is more reliably captured by the adhesive member 15a than the rod member 13 that stands up straight. Can do.

  Of course, not only in the cross section shown in FIG. 7, but also in other outer peripheral portions, if the flange member 15 is bent toward the mirror member 11, the effect is further improved.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, if the adhesive member 15a can be replaced, the adhesive member 15a can be replaced when the adhesive force of the adhesive member 15a is weakened. Can always be maintained. Alternatively, the collar member 15 may be detachable from the holding member 12 and the collar member 15 itself may be replaced. Conversely, when the holding member 12 and the flange member 15 are integrated, the number of parts can be reduced.

  Further, if a charging member is used instead of the adhesive member 15a, it is possible to continue capturing the foreign matter 14 that has collided with the charging member due to the electrostatic force of the charging member. As the charging member, for example, a knitted product of electret fibers used for a filter of a dust collector can be considered.

  As described above, the foreign matter attached to the main mirror unit 1 that can be switched can be prevented from being scattered, and the foreign matter can be prevented from attaching to the imaging unit 101 including the imaging element.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of a lens-interchangeable digital single-lens reflex camera D-SLR that is an imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment. In addition, since components other than the main mirror unit 3 are the same as those in FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are given and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of the main mirror unit 3 as viewed from the interchangeable lens 102 side. 10 shows a front view of the inside of the mirror box 105 during the mirror-up operation as seen from the interchangeable lens 102 side, and FIG. 11 shows a side view of the inside of the mirror box 105.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes a holding member that holds the mirror member 11. An adhesive member 21 a is attached to the left and right side surfaces of the holding member 21 and the side surface on the focal plane shutter 112 (that is, the imaging unit 101) side.

  Reference numeral 22 denotes a collar member provided on the holding member 12 so as to be positioned on the interchangeable lens 102 side in the outer periphery of the mirror member 11. The eaves member 22 is one step higher than the reflecting surface of the mirror member 11. 22a is an adhesive member, and is affixed on the inner side of the flange member 22, that is, on the mirror member 11 side.

  Reference numeral 23 denotes a rotation shaft for rotating the main mirror unit 3.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the left and right side surfaces of the holding member 21 to which the adhesive member 21a is attached and the side surface on the focal plane shutter 112 side are inclined surfaces. That is, the gap between the side surface of the holding member 21 and the wall surface of the mirror box 105 becomes smaller as the distance from the mirror member 11 increases. Thus, since the side surface of the holding member 21 is an inclined surface, the air resistance of the main mirror unit 3 during the mirror-up operation is reduced, and the mirror-up speed can be increased.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes foreign matter adhering to the mirror member 11 before the mirror up operation. As described above, the foreign matter 14 rides on the airflow generated by the mirror-up operation, and moves from the center side to the end of the mirror member 11 in the front-rear direction as shown by the arrow C, the left-right direction or the diagonal direction as shown by the arrow D, Moving.

  FIG. 12 is a front view showing the relationship between the main mirror unit 3 and the mirror box 105 before mirror up, during mirror up operation, and after mirror up. 3a represents the main mirror unit 3 before mirror-up, 3b represents the main mirror unit 3 during mirror-up operation, and 3c represents the main mirror unit 3 after mirror-up.

  Reference numerals 24a and 25a are left and right gaps between the main mirror unit 3a and the mirror box 105 before the mirror-up operation. Reference numerals 24 b and 25 b denote left and right gaps between the main mirror unit 3 b and the mirror box 105 during the mirror up operation. 24c and 25c are left and right gaps between the main mirror unit 3c after mirror-up and the mirror box 105.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the gap between the left and right of the main mirror unit 3 and the mirror box 105 is small in any state before the mirror up operation, during the mirror up operation, and after the mirror up operation.

  FIG. 13 is a side view showing the relationship between the main mirror unit 3 and the mirror box 105 before mirror up, during mirror up operation, and after mirror up. Similarly to FIG. 12, 3a, 3b, and 3c represent the main mirror unit 3 before mirror-up, the main mirror unit 3 during mirror-up operation, and the main mirror unit 3 after mirror-up.

  Reference numerals 26a, 26b, and 26c denote gaps between the main mirror units 3a, 3b, and 3c before the mirror up operation, during the mirror up operation, and after the mirror up operation, and the focal plane shutter 112 side of the mirror box 105, respectively.

  Reference numerals 27a, 27b, and 27c denote gaps between the main mirror units 3a, 3b, and 3c and the mirror box 105 on the side of the interchangeable lens 102 before, during, and after the mirror-up operation.

  By the way, the rotating shafts 23a, 23b, and 23c of the main mirror unit 3 are disposed on the focal plane shutter 112 side of the main mirror unit 3. Accordingly, the focal plane shutter 112 side of the main mirror unit 3 hardly moves, and the gaps 26a, 26b, and 26c remain almost unchanged regardless of the state of the main mirror unit 3 in the mirror up operation. On the other hand, the interchangeable lens 102 side of the main mirror unit 3 rotates and moves greatly with the mirror-up operation, the gap 27a is maximum, and when the mirror-up operation is started, the gap between the main mirror unit 3 and the mirror box 105 becomes small.

  Considering the above points, a large amount of air above the main mirror unit 3 flows in the gap 27b between the main mirror unit 3 and the mirror box 105 on the interchangeable lens 102 side. In this case, if the portion of the mirror holding member 21 where the gap is large is inclined, there is a risk that the foreign matter 14 cannot be captured. Therefore, it is better to provide the flange member 22 in the portion where the gap becomes larger and provide the adhesive member 22a on the inner side, whereas in the portion where the gap is smaller, the inclined surface is provided and the adhesive member 21a is provided there. That is, the collar member 22 is provided on the interchangeable lens 102 side of the mirror member 11, and the other periphery is inclined to provide the adhesive portion 21 a so that the foreign matter 14 does not enter the lower side of the main mirror unit 3.

  Also in this embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, if the adhesive member 21a and the adhesive member 22a are exchangeable, the adhesive member when the adhesive force of the adhesive member 21a and the adhesive member 22a becomes weaker. By exchanging the 21a and the adhesive member 22a, the foreign substance capturing ability can always be maintained. Alternatively, the collar member 22 may be detachable from the holding member 12 and the collar member 22 itself may be replaced. Conversely, when the holding member 12 and the flange member 22 are integrated, the number of parts can be reduced.

  Further, if a charging member is used instead of the adhesive member 21a or the adhesive member 22a, it is possible to continue capturing the foreign matter 14 that has collided with the charging member due to the electrostatic force of the charging member. As the charging member, for example, a knitted product of electret fibers used for a filter of a dust collector can be considered.

  As described above, the foreign matter attached to the main mirror unit 3 that can be switched can be prevented from scattering, and the foreign matter can be prevented from attaching to the imaging unit 101 including the imaging element. Moreover, it can be made a simpler structure than providing a collar member on the whole outer periphery of a holding member, and when the collar member 22 is made exchangeable, the attachment operation can be facilitated.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the first to third embodiments, the invention for preventing the foreign matter attached on the mirror member 11 from scattering is applied. On the other hand, the fourth embodiment is an application of the invention for capturing foreign matter floating in the mirror box 105.

  FIG. 14 shows a schematic configuration of a lens-interchangeable digital single-lens reflex camera D-SLR that is an imaging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. In addition, since components other than the main mirror unit 1 and the sub mirror unit 5 are the same as those in FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are given, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the main mirror unit 1 and the sub mirror unit 5 as viewed from the focal plane shutter 112 side. Reference numeral 12 denotes a holding member for holding the mirror member, which is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

  The sub mirror unit 5 includes a holding member 51 that holds a mirror member (not shown), an arm 52 that is attached to the holding member 51 to rotate the holding member 51, and rotates around a dowel 53 installed in the mirror box 105. The sub-mirror unit 5 includes a surface opposite to the reflective surface, that is, an adhesive member 54 installed on the back surface of the holding member 51.

  FIG. 16 is a side view of the mirror units 1 and 5 during the mirror down operation. 16A shows the state before the mirror down operation, FIG. 16B shows the state during the mirror down operation, and FIG. 16C shows the state after the mirror down operation. As shown in FIGS. 16 (a) to 16 (c), the sub mirror unit 5 largely moves in the mirror box 105 by the mirror down operation. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, if the sub mirror unit 5 has the adhesive member 54, the adhesive member 54 moves in the mirror box 105 during the mirror down operation, thereby capturing foreign matter floating in the mirror box 105. be able to.

  Also in the present embodiment, if the adhesive member 54 is replaceable, the foreign substance capturing ability can always be maintained by replacing the adhesive member 54 when the adhesive force of the adhesive member 54 becomes weak. Further, if a charging member is used instead of the adhesive member 54, the foreign matter 14 colliding with the charging member can be continuously captured by the electrostatic force of the charging member. As the charging member, for example, a knitted product of electret fibers used for a filter of a dust collector can be considered.

  As described above, the foreign matter floating in the mirror box 5 can be captured in accordance with the switching operation of the sub mirror unit 5, and the foreign matter can be prevented from adhering to the imaging unit 101 including the imaging element.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is the front perspective view which looked at the main mirror unit concerning a 1st embodiment from the interchangeable lens side. It is the A section enlarged view of FIG. It is the front view which looked at the inside of the mirror box during mirror raising operation from the interchangeable lens side. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the imaging device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the front perspective view which looked at the main mirror unit concerning a 2nd embodiment from the interchangeable lens side. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 6. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the imaging device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is the front perspective view which looked at the main mirror unit concerning a 3rd embodiment from the interchangeable lens side. It is the front view which looked at the inside of the mirror box during mirror raising operation from the interchangeable lens side. It is the side view which looked at the inside of the mirror box during mirror up operation from the interchangeable lens side. It is a front view showing the relationship between the main mirror unit and the mirror box after mirror up, before mirror up, during mirror up operation. It is a side view showing the relationship between the main mirror unit and the mirror box after mirror up, before mirror up, during mirror up operation. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the imaging device which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is the back perspective view which looked at the main mirror unit and sub mirror unit concerning a 4th embodiment from the focal plane shutter side. It is a side view of the main mirror unit and the sub mirror unit at the time of mirror down operation. It is a figure which shows the basic schematic structure of a lens interchangeable digital single-lens reflex camera.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3, 4 ... main mirror unit 5 ... sub mirror unit 11 ... mirror member 12, 21 ... holding member 13, 15, 22 ... saddle member 13a, 15a, 21a, 54 ... Adhesive member 14 ... Foreign matter 101 ... Imaging unit 102 ... Interchangeable lens 105 ... Mirror box

Claims (6)

An image sensor that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the light flux from the imaging lens;
An optical viewfinder for observing the subject image;
A mirror unit capable of switching between a first state in which the light beam from the imaging lens is reflected on the optical finder and a second state in which the light beam from the imaging lens is guided to the image sensor without being reflected. ,
At least on the photographing lens side of the mirror unit, a collar portion is formed so as to protrude from the reflection surface of the mirror unit,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first foreign material capturing unit that captures foreign material scattered by the switching operation of the mirror unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first foreign substance capturing unit is configured by an adhesive member.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first foreign matter capturing unit is configured by a charging member. On the side other than the photographing lens side of the mirror unit, the inclined surface is formed without forming the collar portion,
The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inclined surface is provided with a second foreign matter capturing unit that captures foreign matter scattered by the switching operation of the mirror unit. .   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second foreign matter capturing unit is configured by an adhesive member.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second foreign substance capturing unit is configured by a charging member.

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